Stepped photographic processing fluid-spreading apparatus

ABSTRACT

Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheet materials and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials. To facilitate these operations, the width of the second pair of sheet materials is greater than the width of the first pair of sheet materials. A first roller includes a facing surface slightly shorter in length than such first predetermined width disposed between two reduced end portions thereof. A second roller is disposed in parallel alignment with the first roller, and an arrangement is included for yieldably urging the rollers toward one another. The rollers include annular collars spaced a distance apart greater than such first predetermined width but less than such second predetermined width and which serve to establish a minimum spacing between the two facing surfaces of the juxtaposed rollers substantially equivalent to the second predetermined thickness of processing fluid. Also provided on the second roller are a pair of additional annular collars respectively disposed in juxtaposition with the opposite ends of the first roller&#39;&#39;s facing surface and extending from the second roller a distance substantially equivalent to the first predetermined thickness of processing fluid.

United States Patent [72] inventors David Van Allen Malden, Mass; Frank W. Knight, Salem, N.H. [21] Appl. No. 51,170 [22] Filed June 30, 1970 [45] Patented Dec. 7, 1971 [73] Assignee Polaroid Corporation Cambridge, Mass.

[54] STEPPED PHOTOGRAPHIC PROCESSING FLUID- SPREADING APPARATUS 21 Claims, 7 Drawing Figs.

[52] U.S. Cl .4 95/89 R, 95/14, 95/89 L [51] Int. Cl 603d 3/00 [50] Field of Search 100/168; 95/89 R, 89 A, 89 L, 13,14

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2.804.812 9/1957 Wolff 95/89 R FOREIGN PATENTS 853,877 11/1960 Great Britain 95/89 L Primary Examiner-Samuel S. Matthews Assistant Examiner-Richard L. Moses Attorneys-Brown and Mikulka, William D. Roberson and Robert L. Berger ABSTRACT: Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheet materials and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials. To facilitate these operations, the width of the second pair of sheet materials is greater than the width of the first pair of sheet materials. A first roller includes a facing surface slightly shorter in length than such first predetermined width disposed between two reduced end portions thereof. A second roller is disposed in parallel alignment with the first roller, and an arrangement is included for yieldably urging the rollers toward one another. The rollers include annular collars spaced a distance apart greater than such first predetermined width but I less than such second predetermined width and which serve to establish a minimum spacing between the two facing surfaces of the juxtaposed rollers substantially equivalent to the second predetermined thickness of processing fluid. Also provided on the second roller are a pair of additional annular collars respectively disposed in juxtaposition with the opposite ends of the first rollers facing'surface and extending from the second roller a distance substantially equivalent to the first I predetermined thickness of processing fluid.

PATENTEU DEC 7 ISII SHEET 1 [IF 3 mm a MMMM M VA! flw m m w MM m WW M mg PATENTEDHEE nan 3625.130

SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTORS DAVID E. VANALLEN FRANK W. KNIGHT ATTORNE S PATENTEDDEB H97! 3525130 sum 3 or 3 Fig 7.

INVENI'ORS DAVID E. VANALLEN FRANK W. KNIGHT STEPPED PHOTOGRAPIIIC PROCESSING FLUID- SPREADING APPARATUS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to photography and, more particularly, to apparatus for spreading a processing fluid between a pair of sheet materials, one of which includes an image-receiving component.

2. Description of the Prior Art There are a number of photographic processes which may be effected by distributing a processing fluid in a uniformly thin layer between a pair of superposed sheets. Generally, one of the superposed sheets comprises a photosensitive imagerecording material, and the second sheet may merely aid in distributing the processing fluid over the first sheet or may, if desired, also possess other characteristics. The processing fluid, in processes with which the present invention is typically concerned, is usually of a viscous type, initially being retained in a rupturable container carried on one of the superposed sheets.

In these processes, the photosensitive sheet is first exposed and then superposed with respect to the second sheet. The two superposed sheets are then moved relative to,'and between, a pair of juxtaposed members. These members may comprise a pair of substantially parallel rollers, a roller and a nonrolling member, or other apparatus that will, as the sheets are moved therethrough, first collapse the fluid-carrying pod or container, thereby forcing the fluid out of the container and between the superposed sheets as a mass extending transversely across the sheets and then subsequently distributes the fluid from this mass so as to produce an approximately uniform fluid layer between the desired portions of the superposed sheets.

, These photographic techniques may be employed to produce viewable images of either the black-and-white or of the full-color types. However, when producing a full-color viewable image, it has generally been necessary to distribute a layer of processing fluid between the superposed sheets which is of a thickness considerably greater than that of the layer of processing fluid which need be distributed between superposed sheets in producing a viewable image of the black-andwhite type. Further, in both instances it has been the general practice to provide a pair of rails'on one of the superposed sheets, one such rail being disposed along each longitudinal edge thereof, to control the thickness of the layer of processing fluid distributed between the sheets as they are advanced between the fluid-spreading members. Consequently, the rails provided on the sheets employed in full-color processes are substantially thicker than those provided on the sheets employed in black-and-white processes. In any event, such arrangements have in the past permitted the same set of spreader elements to be employed in both black-and-white and full-color photographic operations.

It will be recognized that the rails associated with such photographic sheet materials represent a significant element of cost in the production of finished prints by the diffusiontransfer process. Also, other auxiliary film components normally associated with diffusion-transfer photographic operations, i.e., pods, leaders, masks, bibs, and traps, significantly increase the cost of producing finished prints by such processes. After each photographic print of the diffusion transfer type has been made the photographer frequently has been required to handle and dispose of considerable waste material. Such waste material may not only include the abovementioned auxiliary film components, but also the processed negative emulsion-bearing sheet. This task has proved to be somewhat of an inconvenience to the operator and one which, in some instances, can be quite messy considering the fact that certain of these materials are wetted with processing fluid.

In order to overcome some of these limitations of the prior art, it is desirable that the structure of the film units employed lines, such film products have been devised which include, as one of their advantages, the elimination of any requirement for rails and masks. Such simplified film products are the subject of the applicants copendingapplication Ser. No. 51,250, entitled Simplified Diffusion-Transfer Film Products, filed on June 30, 1970. Since these film products do not require rails, there is no means within the film unit itself for controlling the thickness of the layer of processing fluid distributed between the superposed sheets as they are advanced through the fluidspreading members.

An important object of this invention, therefore, is to provide improved processing fluid spreading apparatus for use with film structures of a simplified type to alternately distribute layers of differing thicknesses of processing fluid between superposed sheets of such units.

Another primary object of this invention is to provide improved processing fluid spreading apparatus of the type indicated which may be alternately employed to product photographic prints of the'black-and-white and full-color types.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved fluid-spreading apparatus of the type indicated which may be employed in the production of both black-and-white and fullcolor photographic prints and which, in both such operations, includes an arrangement for preventing processing fluid escaping from between the longitudinal edges of the superposed sheet materials as they are advanced between fluidspreading elements.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its illustrated embodiment, the fluid-spreading apparatus of this invention is adapted to alternately distribute a layer of processing fluid of a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of superposed sheet materials and, in a layer of a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness, between a second pair of superposed sheet materials. In this connection, the first and second pairs of superposed sheet materials are alternately advanced lengthwise through such apparatus, the first pair of such sheets having a first predetermined width, and the second pair of such sheets having a second predetermined width greater than such first predetermined width. ln each instance, a viewable image is ultimately formed in one of the superposed sheets having a width less than such first predetermined width. Typically, the nature of the first pair of superposed sheets and of the processing fluid distributed therebetween is such as to facilitate the production of a viewable image of the black-andwhite type, while the nature of the second pair of superposed sheets and the processing fluid distributed therebetween is such as to produce a viewable image of the full-color type.

As depicted in the drawings, the preferred form of the apparatus of the present invention comprises a pair of elongated rollers having their axes of rotation disposed in parallel alignment. The mounting arrangement for these rollers facilitates a limited amount of relative movement thereof toward and away from each other, and includes spring means for continually urging them into contact.

One of the rollers is provided with a facing surface formed centrally thereof and extending a distance slightly greater than the width of the viewable image in the finished photographic prints. This facing surface section of the roller is disposed intermediate reduced end portions thereof. Each such reduced end portion is provided with an annular collar, and the spacing between these collars is greater than the width of the firstmentioned pair of sheet materials and less than the width of the second-mentioned pair of sheet materials. A pair of annular collars are provided on the other roller in respective jux taposed relationship with the first rollers annular collars. Thus. the normal tendency of the spring forces acting on the rollers is to seat these collars of the first roller against the col lars provided on the second roller. The dimensions of these collars are such that, when the collars of one roller are seated in processes of these general types be simplified. Along these v against the collars of the other roller, the facing surface of the first roller is spaced from the juxtaposed section of the second roller a distance substantially equal to the aforementioned second predetermined thickness of processing fluid. The pregap spacing thus provided between the sheet-contacting or facing surfaces of the rollers facilitates the initial introduction of the superposed sheet materials between these fluid-spreading members.

Also provided on the second roller is another pair of annular collars, each of which is respectively aligned with the ends of the first rollers facing surface. These collars extend a distance from the second roller substantially equivalent to the aforementioned first predetermined thickness of processing fluid.

In this arrangement, the pairs of juxtaposed annular collars 7 provided on the two rollers control the thickness of the layer of processing fluid spread between the superposed sheets whenever a second such pair of sheets is advanced between the rollers. At the same time, the annular collars of the second roller, aligned with respective ends of the first rollers facing surface, control the thickness of the layer of processing fluid spread between the superposed sheets whenever a first such pair of sheets is advanced between the rollers. Further, in either instance, i.e., whenever a first such pair of superposed sheets or a second such'pair of superposed sheets is advanced between the rollers, the longitudinal edges thereof are aligned with respective relieved portions of the first roller. Consequently, there. is no tendency of the rollers to squeeze fluid from between the longitudinal edge portions of the superposed sheet materials as they pass therebetween.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The novel features that are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The invention itself, however, both as to its organization and its method of operation, together with the other ob jects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of the preferred embodiment when read in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like numbers have been employed in the different figures to denote the same parts and wherein:

FIG. I is a perspective view diagrammatically depicting the unique fluid-spreading apparatus of the present invention as being incorporated in a camera of the self-developing type and its relationship to the photographic sheet materials at such time as the first photosensitive image-recording component thereof is disposed in position for exposure;

FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 depicting the relationship between the fluid-spreading apparatus and the photographic sheet materials at such time as the image-receiving sheet is being superposed over the first exposed image-recording sheet;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIGS. 1 and 2 depicting the relationship between the fluid-spreading apparatus and the photographic sheet materials at such time as the first superposed pair of such materials has just been advanced through the spreading apparatus;

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, partially cutaway, plan view of the pod assembly forming part of the photographic materials illustrated in FIGS. 1-3;

FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic, fragmentary, profile view of the fluid-spreading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged, diagrammatic, fragmentary, profile view of the fluid-spreading apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 at such time as a pair of superposed sheet materials suitable for producing a black-and-white viewable image is being advanced therethrough; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 at such time as a pair of superposed sheet materials suitable for producing a full-color viewable image is being advanced through the fluid-spreading apparatus.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In its illustrated embodiment, the present invention is depicted as effecting the distribution of layers of processing fluid between pairs of superposed photographic sheet materials which are the subject of applicants copending application Ser. No. 51,250 entitled Simplified Diffusion-Transfer Film Products, filed on June 30, 1970. Consequently, it is deemed appropriate to set forth at this time a brief description of the nature and form of such film products.

The production of a visible image by a diffusion-transfer process, whether of the black-and-white or full-color variety, has most frequently employed the use of two sheets of material. One of these sheets includes a photosensitive imagerecording layer, and an image-receiving component may either be associated with that same sheet or with the second sheet. As previously indicated, in carrying out the photographic process after the photosensitive medium has been exposed to image-carrying light rays to record a latent image therein, a suitable processing fluid is spread as a thin layer between the two sheets of material by drawing the sheets in superposed relationship between a pair of compressive force-applying members while the fluid is being fed between the sheets. In the former situation, i.e., wherein both the imagerecording and image-receiving components are contained in the same sheet, the second sheet primarily serves to facilitate the spreading of the fluid across that sheet, but it may also serve to subsequently strip the processed image-recording component therefrom.

For example, in producing a black-and-white print by a diffusion-transfer process, a first flexible image-recording sheet may comprise a support formed of baryta paper, or of a plastic such as cellulose acetate, with a photosensitive layer on one side thereof in the form of a silver halide gelatin emulsion. The processing liquid may comprise an aqueous alkaline solution of a silver halide developer, a silver halide complexing agent, and a thickening or film-forming agent such as sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, which last-stated constituent facilitates dispensing and distributing the processing fluid and the adhering of the two sheets to one another once the fluid has been spread therebetween. A flexible image-receiving sheet may comprise a support consisting of the same materials employed to form the support in the photosensitive sheet and a gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol silver-receptive medium wherein a positive image may be formed. When the image-recording sheet is exposed to actinic light and subsequently superposed with respect to the image-receiving sheet, with a layer of the processing fluid distributed therebetween, the developing reagent in the fluid acts to develop the exposed silver halide in the negative emulsion to silver and to dissolve the nonexposed silver halide to provide an image-forming component. The soluble silver complex comprising the image-forming component migrates to the silver-receptive stratum of the imagereceiving sheet where it is reduced to silver to provide a fixed positive of the latent image initially recorded in the photosensitive emulsion.

For example, in producing a print in full color by a diffusion-transfer process, a first flexible image-recording sheet may comprise a support formed of baryta paper, or of a plastic such as cellulose acetate, on which are carried, in sequence, a cyan dye developer layer, a red-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a spacer layer, a magenta dye developer layer, a green-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer, a spacer layer, a yellow dye developer layer and a blue-sensitive silver halide emulsion layer. A second flexible image-receiving sheet for use with this type of image-recording sheet may include a dyereceptive layer comprising a dyeable polymer carried on a baryta paper, or a plastic such as cellulose acetate, support.

A processing composition suitable for use with these sheet materials may comprise a liquid which, similar to the processing liquid employed in the black-and-white process, is preferably of a generally viscous nature. A suitable viscosityimparting agent for use in such a processing fluid is sodium carboxymethyl cellulose. When spread between the imagerecording and image-receiving sheets, the processing liquid permeates or migrates into the various photosensitive and dye developer layers of the image-recording sheet. During permeation into the dye developer layers, unreacted dye developer contained in these layers is dissolved in the processing liquid and transported, in solution, into respective photosensitive layers to distribute unreacted dye developer in those layers. Where the dye developer, transported to the photosensitive layers, reacts with the exposed silver halide, it is oxidized as a function of the amount of silver halide reduced to silver while the oxidation product of the developer forms an image that is substantially coextensive with the developed silver.

Preferably, the dye developer utilized is selected for its property of having an oxidation product as a result of silver development which is of considerably lower solubility in the liquid processing composition than the unreacted dye developer itself. Under these conditions, the oxidation product is substantially immobilized or retained in the respective photosensitive layers.

It is the formation of an insoluble oxidation product, i.e., an oxidation product which is at least sufficiently less soluble to preclude its diffusion to the image-receiving sheet during imbibition, that provides the principal mechanism for controlling the transfer of dye image-forming components to the imagereceiving sheet. Thus, portions of the dye developer which have become oxidized are exhausted or made unavailable for dye image fonnation on the positive or image-receiving element. This immobilization of dye developer may also be due in part to a tanning effect on the emulsion by oxidized developing agent and in part to a localized exhaustion of alkali as a result of development.

At the time that the dye developer is developing silver and providing an insoluble oxidation product, an imagewise distribution of unoxidized and unreacted dye developer is formed in the negative material in places where unexposed silver halide grains are present or in places where exposure and subsequent development is less complete. Dye developer present in solution in this imagewise distribution is transportable, at least in part, by imbibition to the image-receiving sheet. The image-receiving layer of that sheet is dyed or otherwise colored by the transported and unreacted dye developer where the dye developer is deposited to provide the desired reverse image in color of the latent image initially recorded in the image-recording sheet.

The image-receiving sheet, when stripped from the imagerecording sheet, will contain substantially only dye developer which provides the desired color positive image. In this regard, the image-receiving element, during the processing thereof, is maintained free of appreciable amounts of material which, during the processing of the film unit or which, in the presence of light and air, will impart to the image-receiving sheet a color that would adversely affect the visibility of the image of dye developer formed therein.

Film systems of these types, including appropriate processing compositions, as well as of other types applicable for use in connection with the present invention for producing fully developed black-and-white and full-color images, are well known in the art. For instance, typical such systems are disclosed and described in greater detail in US. Pat. No. 2,543,181 of E. H. Land, issued on Feb. 27, 1951, and U.S. Pat. No. 2,983,606 of H. G. Rogers, issued on May 9, 1961. It should be clearly understood, however, that the present invention is not directed to specific film structures, or to the chemistry by which images are formed in an exposed photosensitive material and/or formed in an image-receiving material associated therewith. To the contrary, the present invention is equally applicable for use with a variety of film structures and processing fluids other than those set forth by way of example herein.

It is important to recognize at this point that it has generally been necessary to employ a greater amount of fluid in processing full-color prints than is required to process a blackand-white print of equivalent size. More specifically, in the former case the thickness of the layer of processing fluid distributed between the superposed sheet materials is necessarily significantly thicker in full-color processes than in black-andwhite processes. Typically the layer of processing fluid in fullcolor processes is on the order of 0.007 inches, and in blackand-white processes is on the order of 0.003 inches.

The present invention may best be understood by now referring to FIGS. 1 through 4 of the drawings. As illustrated therein, the present invention is employed in conjunction with film products which include a plurality of photosensitive image-recording sheets 10 and a plurality of image-receiving sheets 12. These sheets 10 and 12 are of substantially the same size and shape so that each such image-receiving sheet may be selectively superposed over a respective image-recording sheet. Further, these sheets 10 and 12 may be considered as taking the form of one of the types previously indicated or associated with the production of a black-and-white viewable image and, as such, are preferably flexible in nature.

Adjacent photosensitive image-recording sheets 10 are connected together by pod assemblies 14, the details of which are best shown in FIG. 4. In this connection, each pod assembly 14 includes a carrier sheet 16 preferably having one of its lateral edge portions 18 lapped under and attached to the trailing lateral edge portion 22 of one adjacent image-recording sheet 10 and its other lateral edge portion 23 lapped over and attached to the leading lateral edge portion 24 of the other image-recording sheet adjacent thereto. Each carrier sheet 16 may, for instance be formed of flexible baryta paper which is bonded to the adjacent image-recording sheets 10 by any suitable adhesive. Mounted on each carrier sheet 16 and extending laterally thereacross intermediate of, and in spacedapart relationship to, the carrier sheets lateral edge portions 18 and 23 is an elongated rupturable pod or container 26. Container 26 initially retains a quantity of processing fluid 28, of a type previously indicated, slightly in excess of that required to treat the surface of one image-recording sheet 10.

Pods or containers of this general type are now well known and may, for instance, be formed of sheet materials, which are flexible and deformable, bonded together in the vicinity of their peripheral edge surfaces to form a cavity therebetween containing the processing fluid 28. In this manner, whenever an externally mounted force-applying member is pressed against the container 26, hydraulic pressure is transmitted to the processing fluid 28 retained therein. When such pressure reaches a predetermined level, the container is caused to rupture, and the fluid is released therefrom. It is desirable that the walls of the container 26 be substantially impervious to the processing fluid 28 and inert to attack by that fluid. Typically, they may consist of an outer layer of pouch or glassine paper, an intermediate layer of lead foil, and an interliner of polyvinylchloride material. Under proper pressure and temperature conditions, the polyvinylchloride liners may be bonded together to effect the sealing of the fluid-filled cavity.

In order that the fluid 28 within the container 26 be released therefrom in a predetermined manner upon rupture thereof, i.e., in the direction of one of the adjacent image-recording sheets 10, it is important that the seal along the lateral edge 30 of the container be substantially weaker than the seals along the other marginal sections thereof. This result may be readily effected during fabrication of the container by appropriately adjusting the heat and/or pressure employed to effect the weakened seal along its lateral edge 30. Any suitable adhesive may be employed to attach the pod or container 26 to its carrier sheet 16.

Overlying each carrier sheet 16 and container 26 mounted thereon is another sheet of flexible material 32 which, for instance, may also be formed of baryta paper. A relatively narrow lateral portion 34 of this sheet 32 is bonded by a suitable adhesive to the carrier sheet 16 adjacent the rupturable container 26 on the side thereof removed from its lateral edge 30. Also, the longitudinal edge portions 36 and 38 of this sheet 32 are bonded in a similar manner to the adjacent sections of the carrier sheet 16. lt will be noted that the lateral edges 40 and 42 of the sheet 32 respectively overlap the adjacent lateral edges 22 and 24 of the leading and trailing photosensitive image-recording sheets 10 connected to each pod assemblys carrier sheet 16. Thus, the flexible sheet 32 iseffectively divided into a first section overlying and extending beyond the container 26 constituting a bib 44 and a second section constituting a trapping sheet 46. Means are therefore provided as part of each pod assembly 14 in the form of the bib 44 for controlling the fiow of the fluid 28 as it is released from the container 26 onto the trailing image-recording sheet 10 connected to that pod assembly. Also, means are provided on each pod assembly 14 in the form of the trapping sheet 46 for cooperating with the section of the carrier sheet 16 adjacent thereto to define a space wherein excess processing fluid 28, spread across the other image-recording sheet attached to that particular pod assembly, may be trapped or accumulated.

It will be appreciated that this arrangement of pod assemblies l4 and photosensitive image-recording sheets 10 provides an elongated strip of photographic materials 47 comprising alternately spaced pod assemblies and image-recording sheets which is readily coilable. As will subsequently be explained in more detail, such an elongated strip of photographic materials 47 is adapted to be employed in conjunction with a plurality of discrete image-receiving sheets 12 within a camera of the self-developing type to provide a substantially waste-free photographic operation. Since certain details of a camera system in which the heretofore described photographic film products are devised to be employed do not form part of the present invention, they have not been illustrated in the drawings forming part of this specification. However, such a camera system may, if desired, take the form of that shown and described in applicants copending application Ser. No. l,l9l entitled Unique Waste-Free Camera System of the Self-Developing Type, filed on June 30, 1970.

In any event, it is desirable that such a camera system include a station 48 for initially receiving a coiled strip of photographic materials 47; an exposure station 50 wherein imagecarrying light rays from a subject may be selectively, sequentially imaged by the camera's shutter and objective lens arrangement 52 onto the image-recording sheets a station 54 for initially storing a supply of image-receiving sheets 12; means (not shown) for sequentially positioning individual such image-receiving sheets over respective exposed imagerecording sheets 10 within the exposure station; a fluidspreading station 56, comprising the present invention; an imbibition station 58; means 57 for selectively advancing the image-recording sheets 10 through the camera; and a station 60 for temporarily storing such expended sheets 10 and associated pod assemblies 14 as they are removed from the imbibition station 58.

Removably and rotatably mounted within the last-stated station 60 of the camera system is a reel 62 to which the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 may be initially connected and subsequently progressively coiled therearound. In this connection, the reel 62 is provided with a spur gear 64 adapted to mesh with the teeth of a pinion 66 journaled in the frame structure of the camera system whenever the reel is mounted therein. The pinion 66 may be designed for either manual or automatic operation. To facilitate the proper initial arrangement of the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 within the camera system, a leader 67 is attached to the first image-recording sheet 10 thereof and is adapted to extend from the camera's receiving station 48 through the intermediate camera stations 50, 56, and 58 into the station 60 where it may be attached to the reel 62. It will thus be appreciated that subsequent rotation of the pinion 66 in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in F lGS. l-3 will advance the first image-recording sheet 10 into position within the station 50 for its exposure (See FIG. 1). At such time, the leading pod assembly 14 of the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 is disposed immediately in front of a pair of juxtaposed fluid-spreading rollers 72 and 74. This invention is specifically directed to these rollers 72 and 74, and, therefore, their nature and mode of operation will be discussed in more detail hereinafter. For reasons which will become obvious, this leading pod assembly 14 need not include a trapping sheet 46. Similarly, for reasons which will subsequently become obvious, the last pod assembly 14 of the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 need not include a bib.

After this leading photosensitive image-recording sheet 10 has been exposed, means (not shown) within the camera system advances a first image-receiving sheet 12 into superposed relationship therewith (See FIG. 2). During such operation, the exposed image-recording sheet 10 is maintained in position within the camera system's exposure station 50. It will be noted that the trailing lateral edge 76 of this superposed image-receiving sheet 12 is positioned under the trapping sheet 46 of the second pod assembly 14. Therefore as the first exposed image-recording sheet 10 continues its advance through the camerss fluid-spreading station 56 and into its imbition station 58, this arrangement of the image-receiving sheet 12 and the trapping sheet 46 facilitates concurrent movement of the image-receiving sheet 12 through the camera system in superposed relationship therewith. Also it will be noted at this time that, when the image-receiving sheet 12 is superposed over the image-recording sheet 10 within the camera's exposure station 50, its leading lateral edge 77 is disposed over the lateral edge 42 of the first pod assemblys bib 44. The purposes for this particular arrangement will be explained hereinafter.

By now further turning the pinion 66 in a counterclockwise direction, the superposed exposed image-recording sheet l0 and image-receiving sheet 12 are advanced from the exposure station 50 through the fluid-spreading station 56 into the cameras imbibition station 58 (See FIG. 3). At the same time, this operation causes the second photosensitive image-recording sheet 10 of the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 to be advanced into exposure position within the camera's station 50.

The nature of, and mounting arrangements for, the fluidspreading rollers 72 and 74 are best shown in FIG. 5 of the drawings. As depicted therein, the roller 72 comprises a facing surface 78 extending transversely thereacross intermediate a pair of reduced end portions 80 thereof. Each such reduced end portion 80 of the roller 72 is provided with an annular collar 82 disposed in juxtaposition with respect to an annular collar 84 similarly provided on the roller 74. This latter roller 74 is also provided with a pair of annular collars 86, each of which is aligned with a respective edge of the facing surface 78 of the roller 72. The roller 74 is fixedly positioned within the camera against translatory motion for rotation about its axis. However, the fluid-spreading roller 72 is not only mounted for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis of rotation of the roller 74, but is also mounted to facilitate a limited amount of translatory displacement between a position wherein its collars 82 are spaced a small distance away from such collars 84.

in this connection, the support structure 88 of the camera for the roller 74 is fixedly positioned within the camera, while the support structure 90 for the roller 72 is displaceably mounted within the camera in operable relationship with a pair of springs 92. These springs 92 continually serve to yieldably urge the roller 72 toward the roller 74.

While in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 of the drawings the fluid-spreading rollers 72 and 74 are shown in connection with the processing of photographic materials suitable for producing a viewable image of the black-and-white type, it will be recalled that it is also a purpose of this invention that these same rollers be suitable for alternate use with other photographic materials to produce a viewable image of the full-color variety. Also, it will be recalled that in the former case the superposed sheets are narrower than the superposed sheets employed in the latter case, and the layer of processing fluid spread between superposed sheet materials is necessarily thinner in the former case than in the latter. in view of these considerations, the

spacing between the annular collars 86 of the roller 74 is substantially equal to the width of the viewable image to be produced in both black-and-white and full-color processing operations, while the width of the superposed sheets employed in the former of such operations is greater than the spacing between those collars 86 and less than the spacing between the collars 84 of the roller 74 (See FIG. 6). At the same time, the spacing between the collars 84 of the roller 74, and consequently between the annular collar 82 of the roller 72, is less than the width of superposed sheet materials 94 and 96 employed in the production of a full-color viewable image (See FIG. 7). The radial heights of the collars 82 and 84 are selected to establish a minimum spacing or pregap between the facing surface 78 of the roller 72 and the facing surface 98 of the roller 74 substantially equal to the thickness of the layer of processing fluid to be distributed between the superposed sheets 94 and 96 in producing a full-color viewable image. Along these same lines, the radial height of the annular collars 86 of the roller 74 is substantially equal to the thickness of the layer of processing fluid to be distributed between the sheets 10 and 12 in the process of producing a viewable image in bIack-and-white.

The pregap spacing initially established between the facing surfaces 78 and 98 of the rollers 72 and 74 by the collars 82 and 84 facilitates the disposition of the leader 67 associated with the elongated strip of photographic materials 47 between the camera's receiving station 48 and its station 60 at such time as the elongated strip is initially loaded into the camera.

As a pair of superposed exposed image-recording and image-receiving sheets 10 and 12 is advanced from the cameras exposure station 50 toward the fluid-spreading rollers 72 and 74, the pod assembly 14 in advance thereof first passes between these rollers. The compressive force thus exerted on the fluid-filled container 26 causes that member to rupture along its lateral edge 30 and the fluid 28 initially retained in the container to be expelled therefrom in the direction of the superposed sheets 10 and 12. Flow of the fluid 28 as it is expelled from the ruptured container 26 is controlled by the rib 44 associated with that container in a manner to facilitate the introduction of the released fluid between the superposed sheets 10 and 12. As the superposed sheets 10 and 12 continue their advance through the camera's station 56, the fluid-spreading rollers 72 and 74 act thereagainst under the influence of the springs 92 to effect the distribution of the released processing fluid 28 therebetween in a thin layer of generally uniform thickness. As best shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of this layer of processing fluid is substantially equal to the radial height of the annular collars 86 provided on the roller 74.

At such time as the rollers 72 and 74 are effecting the spreading of the processing fluid 28 between the sheets 10 and 12, the longitudinal edge portions 100 and 101 of those sheets are being advanced between the collars 86 and 84 of the roller 74. Due to the relieved nature of the end portions 80 of the roller 72, such longitudinal edge portions 100 and 101 of the sheets 10 and 12 pass between juxtaposed sections of the roller 72 and 74 spaced a substantially greater distance from each other than the facing surfaces 78 and 98 of those rollers are spaced one from the other. Consequently, the pressure exerted by the rollers 72 and 74 on the superposed sheets 10 and 12 does not cause a portion of the processing fluid 28 to be squeezed from between their longitudinal edges 100 and 101.

FIG. 7 is similar to FIG. 6 except that it illustrates the situation wherein the fluid-spreading rollers 72 and 74 are em ployed to distribute a layer of processing fluid 108 between the pair of superposed sheet materials 94 and 96 to facilitate the production of a fullcolor viewable image in the former sheet. It will be recognized that, at such time, the thickness of the layer of processing fluid 108 is controlled by the radial dimensions of the annular projections 82 and 84 respectively provided on the rollers 72 and 74 and, consequently, is substantially equal to the pregap or initial spacing between the facing surfaces 78 and 98 of those rollers (see F IG. At such time, the longitudinal edge portions 102 and 103 of the superposed sheets 94 and 96 are respectively disposed between the ends of the roller 72 and the annular collars 82 adjacent thereto. This situation is therefore similar to that depicted in F IG. 6 in connection with the production of a black-and-white viewable image, i.e., the longitudinal edge portions 102 and 103 of the superposed sheet materials 94 and 96 are disposed between juxtaposed sections of the rollers 72 and 74 which are spaced a greater distance apart than are the facing surfaces 78 and 98 of those rollers. Consequently, the rollers 72 and 74 do not exert a pressure on the longitudinal edge portions of the sheets 94 and 96, that would otherwise tend to force the processing fluid 108 from between such edge portions 102 and 103.

More specifically, whether the rollers 72 and 74 are being employed in connection with a black-and-white or with a fullcolor process, means are provided thereon for precluding processing fluid from being expressed from between the longitudinal edges of the superposed sheet materials.

It should be noted at this time that a resist" 110 is imprinted or otherwise formed around the peripheral border of the face of each image-receiving sheet 12 adapted to be contacted by the processing fluid 28. This resist 110 may comprise an acrylic plastic material, such as Krylon manufactured by Krylon, Inc. of Norristown, Pa., or any other material which will function to preclude the adherence of any of the processing fluid 28 thereto and to preclude any adverse discoloring of the border of the sheet 12 by that fluid.

As previously indicated, each container 26 is initially supplied with a quantity of fluid 28 slightly in excess of that required to process the photographic sheets 10 and 12. Therefore, just before these superposed sheets 10 and 12 leave the bite of the rollers 72 and 74, this excess amount of processing fluid 28 is expelled from between the trailing lateral edges thereof into the space provided under the trapping sheet 46 associated with the next pod assembly 14. Inasmuch as the trailing lateral edge portion of the superposed sheet 10 is disposed over the carrier sheets edge portion 22, the leading edge of the carrier sheet 16 does not obstruct flow of the excess fluid 28 under the trapping sheet 46. Additionally in this arrangement, the thickness of the sheet 10 functions to provide fluid storage space under the trapping sheet 46.

In this condition the superposed exposed image-recording and image-receiving sheets 10 and 12 are retained within the camera's station 58 for a predetermined amount of time sufficient to impregnate the materials with the processing fluid 28 previously distributed therebetween and to facilitate the formation ofa visible image in the image-receiving sheet 12 from the latent image initially recorded in the sheet 10 during exposure thereof. After the lapse of such predetermined amount of time, access means (not shown) provided in the camera structure adjacent the imbibition station 58 enables the operator to strip the image-receiving sheet 12, now constituting a finished photographic print, from its associated image-recording sheet 10. The portion of the sheet 12 comprising the resist 110 defines a border or frame for the finished print.

After the next photosensitive image-recording sheet 10 of the sheet of photographic materials 47 has been exposed within the camera station 50 and overlaid with the next imagereceiving sheet 12, the pinion 66 can once again be turned in a counterclockwise direction to simultaneously effect the processing of the second photographic print, the coiling of the expended photographic materials associated with the production of the first photographic print onto the reel 62, and the positioning of the third image-recording sheet within the exposure station 50. Once all the photographic materials comprising the elongated strip 47 have been expanded in the process of producing a plurality of photographic prints and coiled onto the reel 62, that reel may be removed from the camera system and discarded as convenience may dictate.

Certain dimensions have been indicated on F IGS. 5, 6, and 7 in order to impart a full understanding of the present invention. However, it is to be expressly understood that these dimensions are exemplary only and are not to be interpreted as restricting the scope of applicants invention in any manner.

Those familiar with the photographic arts will readily appreciate the novel and highly unique advantages of this invention. Most importantly, a novel processing fluid-spreading apparatus is provided which may alternately be employed with film products of a simplified type to produce viewable images of the black-and-white and full-color variety. in its illustrated embodiment, this invention has been shown as comprising a pair of rollers having parallel facing surfaces. It may be desirable in certain instances that these facing surfaces be configured with convex curvatures having large radii to efiect a certain desired control over the fluid as it is released between the sheets. Also, while the illustrated fluid-spreading members comprise rollers, they may take other forms, for instance, a pair of rigid nonrolling elements. This invention may be practiced or embodied in still other ways without departing from the spirit or essential character thereof. The preferred embodiment described herein is therefore illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims; and all variations which come within the meaning of the claims are intended to be embraced therein.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheet materials of a first predetermined width and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials of a second predetermined width greater than such first predetermined width, at least one of such sheet materials in each instance comprising a photographic component, comprising:

a first elongated fluid-spreading member having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof;

a second elongated fluid-spreading member extending in parallel relationship to said first fluid-spreading member and having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof disposed in juxtaposition to said facing surface of said first fluid-spreading member;

first means for yieldably urging said fluid spreading members together;

second means formed on at least one of said fluid-spreading members for establishing a minimum spacing between said juxtaposed facing surfaces and for controlling the spread of such processing fluid in a layer of such second predetermined thickness between such second pair of sheet materials as such second pair of sheet materials is advanced lengthwise between said facing surfaces; and

third means formed on at least one of said fluid-spreading members for controlling the spread of such processing fluid in a layer of such first predetermined thickness between such first pair of sheet materials as such first pair of sheet materials is advanced lengthwise between said facing surfaces.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said minimum spacing is substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluid-spreading members towards the other of said fluidspreading members, each said projection being spaced intermediate a respective end of said one fluid-spreading member and said facing surface of said one fluid-spreading member and said projections being spaced apart a distance greater than such predetermined width of such first pair of sheets and less than such predetermined width of such second pair of sheets.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second means additionally includes a pair of projections extending from said other fluid-spreading member in juxtaposition with respective said first-mentioned projections of said one fluid-spreading member.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluidspreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading members facing surface.

6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluidspreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading members facing surface.

7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluidspreading members towards the other of saidfluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading members facing surface.

8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said projection extends a distance from said one fluid-spreading members facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.

9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said projection extends from said one fluid-spreading members facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.

10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said first-mentioned projections extend from said one fluid-spreading members facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid and said second-mentioned projections extend from said one fluid-spreading member's facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such processing fluid.

11. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising fourth means formed on said fluid-spreading members for precluding processing fluid from escaping from between the longitudinal edges of such first and second pairs of sheet materials as they are alternately advanced between said fluid-spreading members.

12. The apparatus of claim ll wherein said fourth means comprises configurations on respective ends of said fluidspreading members providing a spacing between juxtaposed sections of said fluid-spreading members extending beyond said juxtaposed facing surfaces thereof greater than the spacing between said juxtaposed facing surfaces in which respective longitudinal edge portions of such first and second pairs of sheet materials are adapted to be disposed as such pairs of sheet materials are alternately advanced between said fluidspreading members, whereby said fluid-spreading members do not exert a pressure on such edge portions of such sheet materials tending to force such fluid from between such longitudinal edges thereof.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller.

14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid-spreading members comprise a pair of rollers.

15. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.

16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fluid-spreading members comprise a pair of rollers and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.

17. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.

18. Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheets of a first predetermined width and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials of a second predetermined width greater than such first predetermined width, at least one of such sheet materials in each instance comprising a photographic component adapted to have a visible image formed therein of a width less than such first predetermined width, comprising:

a first roller having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof approximately equal in length to such width of such viewable image and reduced end portions extending on both sides of said facing surface;

a second roller extending in parallel relationship to said first roller;

first means for yieldably urging said rollers together;

second means on at least one of said rollers intermediate respective ends thereof and said facing surface for establishing a minimum spacing between said first roller's facing surface and said second roller substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid; and

annular collars formed on said second roller positioned in alignment with respective ends of said first rollers facing surface and extending from said second roller's elongated cylindrical surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.

19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said second means comprises a pair of annular collars extending from one of said rollers and spaced apart a distance greater than such first predetermined width and less than such second predetermined width.

20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said second means additionally comprises a pair of annular collars extending from the other of said rollers in juxtaposition with respective said first-mentioned annular collars of said second means.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said first-mentioned collars of said second means extend from said second rollers elongated cylindrical surface a distance substantially equivalent to such a second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid and the peripheral surfaces of said second-mentioned annular collars of said second means are substantially in alignment with said facing surface. 

1. Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a first predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheet materials of a first predetermined width and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials of a second predetermined width greater than such first predetermined width, at least one of such sheet materials in each instance comprising a photographic component, comprising: a first elongated fluid-spreading member having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof; a second elongated fluid-spreading member extending in parallel relationship to said first fluid-spreading member and having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof disposed in juxtaposition to said facing surface of said first fluidspreading member; first means for yieldably urging said fluid spreading members together; second means formed on at least one of said fluid-spreading members for establishing a minimum spacing between said juxtaposed facing surfaces and for controlling the spread of such processing fluid in a layer of such second predetermined thickness between such second pair of sheet materials as such second pair of sheet materials is advanced lengthwise between said facing surfaces; and third means formed on at least one of said fluid-spreading members for controlling the spread of such processing fluid in a layer of such first predetermined thickness between such first pair of sheet materials as such first pair of sheet materials is advanced lengthwise between said facing surfaces.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said minimum spacing is substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said second means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluid-spreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being spaced intermediate a respective end of said one fluid-spreading member and said facing surface of said one fluid-spreading member and said projections being spaced apart a distance greaTer than such predetermined width of such first pair of sheets and less than such predetermined width of such second pair of sheets.
 4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said second means additionally includes a pair of projections extending from said other fluid-spreading member in juxtaposition with respective said first-mentioned projections of said one fluid-spreading member.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluid-spreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface.
 6. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluid-spreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface.
 7. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said third means comprises a pair of projections extending from one of said fluid-spreading members towards the other of said fluid-spreading members, each said projection being positioned adjacent a respective end of said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface.
 8. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein each said projection extends a distance from said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.
 9. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each said projection extends from said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.
 10. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein each of said first-mentioned projections extend from said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid and said second-mentioned projections extend from said one fluid-spreading member''s facing surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such processing fluid.
 11. The apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising fourth means formed on said fluid-spreading members for precluding processing fluid from escaping from between the longitudinal edges of such first and second pairs of sheet materials as they are alternately advanced between said fluid-spreading members.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein said fourth means comprises configurations on respective ends of said fluid-spreading members providing a spacing between juxtaposed sections of said fluid-spreading members extending beyond said juxtaposed facing surfaces thereof greater than the spacing between said juxtaposed facing surfaces in which respective longitudinal edge portions of such first and second pairs of sheet materials are adapted to be disposed as such pairs of sheet materials are alternately advanced between said fluid-spreading members, whereby said fluid-spreading members do not exert a pressure on such edge portions of such sheet materials tending to force such fluid from between such longitudinal edges thereof.
 13. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller.
 14. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said fluid-spreading members comprise a pair of rollers.
 15. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.
 16. The apparatus of claim 4 wherein said fluid-spreading members comprise a pair of rollers and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.
 17. The apparatus of claim 5 wherein at least one of said fluid-spreading members comprises a roller and said projections comprise annular collars thereon.
 18. Apparatus for alternately distributing processing fluid in a layer having a fiRst predetermined thickness between a first pair of sheets of a first predetermined width and in a layer having a second predetermined thickness greater than such first predetermined thickness between a second pair of sheet materials of a second predetermined width greater than such first predetermined width, at least one of such sheet materials in each instance comprising a photographic component adapted to have a visible image formed therein of a width less than such first predetermined width, comprising: a first roller having a facing surface intermediate the ends thereof approximately equal in length to such width of such viewable image and reduced end portions extending on both sides of said facing surface; a second roller extending in parallel relationship to said first roller; first means for yieldably urging said rollers together; second means on at least one of said rollers intermediate respective ends thereof and said facing surface for establishing a minimum spacing between said first roller''s facing surface and said second roller substantially equivalent to such second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid; and annular collars formed on said second roller positioned in alignment with respective ends of said first roller''s facing surface and extending from said second roller''s elongated cylindrical surface a distance substantially equivalent to such first predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid.
 19. The apparatus of claim 18 wherein said second means comprises a pair of annular collars extending from one of said rollers and spaced apart a distance greater than such first predetermined width and less than such second predetermined width.
 20. The apparatus of claim 19 wherein said second means additionally comprises a pair of annular collars extending from the other of said rollers in juxtaposition with respective said first-mentioned annular collars of said second means.
 21. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said first-mentioned collars of said second means extend from said second roller''s elongated cylindrical surface a distance substantially equivalent to such a second predetermined thickness of such layer of processing fluid and the peripheral surfaces of said second-mentioned annular collars of said second means are substantially in alignment with said facing surface. 